Why You Should Get A Plumbing Inspection Before Buying A Home

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. With all the excitement and charm that a new home brings, it’s easy to overlook the overall condition of your new home’s plumbing. Although the fixtures might look impressive, there could still be underlying plumbing issues that need to be dealt with. Many of these issues can only be identified by booking a comprehensive plumbing inspection, and failing to do this could result in unforeseen expenses.

In this article, we cover all the hidden problems found by plumbing inspections and what to look out for before going all in on your new house.

Hidden Plumbing Problems Most Buyers Miss

The majority of plumbing issues aren’t visible to the naked eye and often go unnoticed,these can include the following items:

Corroded Pipes

Over time, concealed and buried pipes can corrode because of factors including oxidation, soil mineral content, or high pH water content. Corroded pipes can lead to small leaks that may go unnoticed at first, but can build up to become a major expense to fix at a later time.

Sewer Line Blockages

These have two main causes: 1) tree root invasion and 2) improper disposal of non-flushable items.

Tree roots are on the continual hunt for water sources, which can draw them to a sewer line with even a minute leak. Over time, a tree root can begin to crack a sewer line and cause a major blockage.

Non-flushable items such as wipes, hygiene products, and grease can also lead to a blockage. Unfortunately, you won’t have a way of knowing if any of these items were flushed down the sewage system by the previous owners, but an inspection will help uncover any evidence of this.

Low Water Pressure

You’ll be able to get an idea of the water pressure by opening up the faucets and seeing the pressure. If you notice low water pressure, it’s best to proceed with caution, as this can be a sign of a hidden leak or pipe corrosion.

Other Hidden Items To Look Out For

Your plumber will also check for any outdated materials that may require replacing soon. They will also check the condition and age of the water heater to ensure that it won’t need replacing soon.

Red Flags That Could Kill a Deal

Although many pre-purchase plumbing inspections may only result in the need for minor repairs, certain issues can pose a serious red flag. When encountering any of the following issues, it might be wise to walk away from the deal or negotiate a better price.

Failing Water Heater

A failing water heater costs anywhere in the vicinity of $1500 to $5500 to replace. Although the existing water heater may still function correctly, if any issues are detected, this could pose a safety risk and should ultimately be replaced.

Slab Leaks

Slab leaks are hard to detect, which is why it’s best to entrust this process to a professional plumber. If a slab leak is suspected, this could cost you thousands of dollars to fix. This is because slab leaks often require a partial demolition of the floor to reach the leak.

Lead Water Service Line

Lead water lines pose a major health hazard and should be completely replaced. This can easily set you back several thousand dollars.

How Plumbing Inspections Affect Negotiations

Having a plumbing inspection report in your hand can offer you leverage when it comes to settling on the right price for your new home. If your report lists a few plumbing issues that need correcting, you can settle on a reduced amount up to a fair value of what those expenses might be. This is obviously all open to negotiation, but having a certified report goes a long way to help you negotiate a better deal for the home of your dreams.

Why a General Home Inspection Isn’t Enough?

Why not just book a general home inspection? The truth is that qualified plumbers draw from experience and specialized equipment to conduct a thorough inspection. From camera inspections to drain line diagnostics and advanced water pressure testing, your home inspector won’t possess all the tools needed to conduct a comprehensive plumbing inspection. Although it might cost a bit more to book a professional plumbing inspection, the findings from this inspection can end up saving you a substantial amount of money.

What Does A Professional Plumbing Inspection include?

Professional plumbing inspections include a wide range of checks, including:

• Main water supply
• Water pressure
• Pipe condition and corrosion
• Exterior plumbing lines and faucets
• Water heater check
• Fixtures and appliances
• Shutoff valve
• Drain system
• Sewer line
• Inspection for signs of water damage
• Safety compliance

Does Buying A Newer Home Come With Fewer Plumbing Issues?

Older homes do come with more potential plumbing issues. Houses built in the 1970s, for instance, may contain cast iron pipes. These can lead to scaling, pipe cracks, and even a complete pipe collapse. There may also be some galvanized steel piping present, which eventually rusts. Another more likely issue with an older house is the presence of a slab leak. This is because in the 70s slabs were typically built with supply lines running directly through the middle of them, increasing the chance of cracking and leaks.

If you’re in the market for a newer home, however, it may not be free from plumbing defects either. New homes may experience certain construction defects, such as debris left in pipes or slow drainage. Sometimes fittings can also be over-tightened, leading to the possibility of stress fractures at a later stage. Issues like these should be carefully considered and negotiated before deciding to buy a home.

Trusting Plumbing Inspections In South Florida

At Magical Plumbing, we offer comprehensive plumbing inspections. Our inspections form the foundation for all the other services we offer. Our team of experienced and certified plumbers will thoroughly comb through all your prospective homes’ plumbing considerations.

From water heater checks to sewer line inspections, drain cleaning, and checking the quality of your water. You can rest assured that any potential plumbing issues will be highlighted and brought to your attention. We can also provide you with an estimate as to what it will cost to fix it for you to negotiate a better price with.

Ready to get things flowing? Call us at 888-810-PIPE to book your plumbing inspection today.